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Preventable road deaths focus for police agencies

Of the 239 preventable road deaths, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reporting that 182 fatalities on OPP-patrolled roads so far this year included one or more of the Big Four causal factors in road deaths.
Statistics released by the provincial force show inattentive driving has accounted for 63 deaths, speeding was a factor is 56 deaths, 32 deaths were caused due to alcohol or drug impairment and the lack of a seatbelt resulted in 31 deaths.
In an effort to reduce the number of these preventable fatalities, the OPP, in partnership with police services across Canada, is conducting Operation Impact over the Thanksgiving long weekend. During this highly-collaborative annual campaign, the OPP will conduct enforcement and raise awareness of these driving behaviours which, year after year, monopolize road fatality causal factors.
“No family or other road user travelling this Thanksgiving long weekend — or any other time — should have to worry about dying or being injured because of the careless actions of another driver. The single greatest influence on reducing this senseless loss of life is safe, defensive drivers who observe traffic laws at all times,” stated OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair. “The OPP remains committed to doing its part, but we count on these drivers every day to help us save lives.”
Operation Impact is a Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CAPC)-led campaign aimed at maximizing police and other partner resources for safer roads. According to Transport Canada’s last complete year of traffic data, 1,852 people died and 10,280 more were seriously injured on Canadian roads in 2015.